I've been meaning to write about the need for small-scale arts organisations to connect with each other. I believe we need to join forces, to compare methods, to explain what we do - we need to connect, assemble and aggregate.
Bubble recently offered a flat pack version of a script to other small organisations to read locally and I've written previously about Hiroshima Dispersed - it was a simple idea and worked pretty well. Some of the responses are below - and I want to share them as they capture how people truly appreciated working locally and globally.
FROM PUNE
To be a part of something that is much bigger than
you, is a strange feeling. The emotion that such an experience stirs may range
from being completely humbled to feeling immensely powerful. The humility stems
from realizing how insignificant you are in the larger scheme of things; while
the sense of power is inspired by the knowledge that your actions, no matter
how small, contribute to this whole.
This ‘feeling’ is impossible for me to
articulate in any language and the attempt in the previous lines may have been
futile. But I felt just that, as part of a small, seven-member team that
recently performed a reading of a play, to an audience of about 35 people, at
an unconventional venue (a rock themed
coffee bar) in Pune, on a sleepy (and rainy) August afternoon.
However, it wasn’t much the location, the weather or the size of the
audience that made a difference. The feeling stemmed from what I was a part of
– the play itself – The Grandchildren of Hiroshima – true stories of real
people who survived the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.
Initiated as an oral history and
performance project, by London Bubble,
a London based theatre group, in the year 2014, ‘The Grandchildren of
Hiroshima’ is rooted in interviews between local children in Hiroshima and
survivors who were the children’s age when the bomb was dropped. The project
aimed to reach out to people across the world through community performances in
August 2015 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the
Hiroshima bombings.
On August 6th 2015 and over that
weekend, community theatre groups across Hiroshima, London, Wimborne,
Palestine, Johannesburg, Brisbane, Milwaukee and Manila performed readings of
‘The Grandchildren of Hiroshima.’ And we (Orchestrated Q’Works) became a part
of this inspirational
global movement by reading the play in Pune.
Weeks before our performance, when we had started rehearsing, these
powerful human stories of people residing miles away initiated a subliminal
emotional upheaval in me. I knew I might never be able to truly empathize with
them, as I have never been through such horrifying circumstances myself. It
made a part of me feel grateful for my own protected life. However this
gratitude was smeared with a sense of melancholy as somewhere I could sense a
portion of the pain they had endured.
Most of these stories are very detailed and skillfully paint a vivid
picture of the massive destruction and it’s agonizing after-effects. Part of
the play also presents historical facts about the bomb, the war and the
politics and conspiracy behind it.
But beyond all the politics and war, these were stories of real human
suffering, tales of survival against all odds and most of all rebuilding life
and one’s own being, piece by piece. Underlying somewhere in the recounting of
all the demolition and death, is a story of hope and peace – a story that goes
beyond the bounds of language, age, culture and borders.
Being able to share these stories; being a part of the vessel that
transmitted the energy in these stories to others was an unforgettable
experience. At the end of the performance, when we bowed, there was a sense of
oneness … with the team, the audience, groups across the world who organized
similar readings and with Hiroe, Hiroko, Teruko, Suzumi, Fumiaki and others
who’s stories we shared through the play.
A feeling that is both humbling and empowering at the same time.
Contributed by Ritwik Borthakur
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FROM SOUTH AFRICA
Just
wanted to give you feedback on the 6th August reading. We were a small group of
11 including my 7 year old daughter who sat through the reading listening
intently.
We
created an 'alter' of sorts with the image of the river and 7 candles which
were lit each representing one of the rivers. We sat in a semi circle and
basically read the script one line at a time going around in the circle, this
was the best solution and worked well. At the end of the reading we had at least
an hour sharing where all of us shared our responses and thoughts to the
reading. This was very productive and heartfelt. Some of the reflections were
profound and initiated a discussion of the contemporary relevance of the
Hiroshima bombing, especially in post apartheid South Africa.
Thanks
again for this opportunity, we thoroughly enjoyed being part of this process.
I hope to
send a small video soon.
All the best
Colin
FROM MANILLA
Here are a few pictures from our gathering on Thursday. It
was a tight international group of 12 (artists, cultural workers from different
regions in the country), a good number for creating the intimate feel we
wanted. Aside doing the reading (improvising props with whatever was at the
house which also serves as a semi-storage room for our Ensemble!), we folded
paper cranes, feasted together, and had charged conversations on peace, our
role as artists and social beings in keeping & creating it, and what
greater togetherness and solidarity can mean for us today.
Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to be one
with you in this. We appreciate everyone's effort and generosity! It's been
especially exciting to read how the readings have gone all over the world.
Wishing we meet in person soon!
Wishing we meet in person soon!
All the best,
Sarah (in behalf of everyone from Sipat Lawin Ensemble)
Sarah (in behalf of everyone from Sipat Lawin Ensemble)
FROM PALESTINE
Dear Colleagues,
Hope that my email finds you well. I have attached here some
pictures for our reading. It is worth mentioning that the event was attended by
more than 150 individuals. In my next emails, I'll share you articles and TV
interviews that were conducted by Palestinian and Japanese journalists to cover
the reading.
Note: One of the Japanese citizens who is visiting Palestine
right now, came to attend the event and brought with him a flame from Hiroshima
that it is still lightning since 1945 as a symbol of peace.
Regards
Saja Shami
Yes Theatre
FROM WIMBORNE
Dear Dispersers,
First, the twelve of us gathered in
the nearby White Hart garden for a planning pre-read. As we left to make
our way to the Minster Green, a gardener having a pint, said, “I’m not into
culture, but that was very interesting.’
In
the shadow of the War Memorial, commemorating the lives of local men who
died in both World Wars, we laid several kimonos in the shape of the
rivers and positioned ourselves in a semi-circle. We wore black with
brightly coloured scarves.
Over
twenty people gathered on the grass and the memorial steps to listen as we read
‘The Grandchildren of Hiroshima’ by Misaki Setyoyama, accompanied at times by
live flute and recorded rivers - as well as the real sounds of aeroplanes, car
horns, and rubbish trucks. When we spoke the storytellers’ memories, we held
up their portraits.
A
Japanese women and her daughter travelled many miles to hear the reading
and were moved by the retelling of the story they know so well. Somebody
brought a basket of origami cranes to distribute to the listeners, and as we handed
them around at the end of the reading, a dove was spotted flying over our heads
to join its partner on a nearby roof.
Thank
you, Peth and London Bubble, for this opportunity to look beyond our own lives,
and to learn. We look forward to hearing more accounts.
Good wishes from Wimborne Community Theatre
Gill Horitz
on behalf of Wimborne Community Theatre
on behalf of Wimborne Community Theatre
FROM
BRISBANE
At
8.15 Hiroshima time, we observed a minute's silence, standing in the space
where third generation hibakusha Yukiyo Kawano's soft sculpture of "Little
Boy" was hung, as a centre piece in our exhibition of artworks developed
with atomic survivor communities. Simultaneously, on the other side of the
Pacific, Yukiyo herself was also standing silent with a group beside a replica
of her "Little Boy" sculpture in the Seattle Asian Art Museum. For us
this was the start of a two day seminar attended by students, academics, art
workers and others at Queensland University of technology, in their multi-media
venue "The Block". We had twenty people present on that morning.
After the minute's silence we proceeded with our reading of "Grandchildren
of Hiroshima" and then discussion of the script. We selected Fumiaki's
story to develop into a filmed reading, with "Little Boy" as the
backdrop. We went for the simplest of staging – to speak the lines around a
circle, facing each other, allowing contemplation of the words, rehearsal of
the lines, and ultimately the filming. Once we'd done that we reflected on our
responses to the reading and the play overall. Perhaps our feelings were best
summed up by one of the students present. She had spent a year in Japan, and
was familiar with Hiroshima and its Peace Park, and she told how moved she was
by reading part of one family's story – at one stage almost unable to get the
words out because she felt emotional, but determined to do them justice. We all
felt very privileged to play a part in the project, and grateful that we'd made
the connection that has allowed us to share in this important work. We will
shortly edit and make available the film version of Fumiaki's story, along with
coverage of the discussion we had after the reading.
Many
thanks to London Bubble and all the contributing individuals and groups.
Best wishes
Paul
Paul Brown
Hon. A/Prof Institute of
Environmental Studies, UNSW
Creative Producer
Nuclear Futures
FROM BOHOL
Dear
Jonathan and All
Good
evening.
We
NGO Ikaw-Ako in Bohol, Philippines finished our reading program today.
We
held it at one elementary school in Ubay Bohol, explained about Hiroshima,
World
was 2 and atomic bomb a little bit and read the script with 87 grade6 students
,
4teachers and one JICA staff and 2Ikaw-Ako staff at 9am.
We
gave the script to school one week before we hold the program but
students
prepared very well.
They
read Fumiaki's parts.
We
didnt have any music and items, so it wasn't a play but they
enjoyed it.
Thank
you very much to give us this oppotumity!
For
Ikaw-Ako its first time to have like this program, because we focus on
environment
basically and mostly our activity is mangrove planting ,
but
it was nice challenge.
I
put some photos today as attached file.
Thank
you very much.
Best
regard,
Miyuki
Fukuda
Coordinator
Ikaw-Ako
Bohol
FROM
MILWAUKEE
Dear Dispersers-
Wishing you all meaningful readings and presentations of Hiroshima
Dispersed. I was reunited today in Milwaukee, USA with a wonderful former
student of mine, Anne Schulthess, who I last saw in 1999. Anne lives in
London now, and with Bubble Theatre and Peth, brought this to my
attention. She will be with us in Milwaukee, USA tomorrow evening and
join us in the reading of the play as a part of the American Alliance of
Theatre Educators conference, where 350 Theatre Educators will be here and some
will participate in the hearing and reading of this play. Our
presentation is scheduled for the Milwaukee Hilton City Center, Juneau Room, 5th
floor with young performers and adult performers at 4:00 pm Central Standard
Time (Milwaukee/Chicago time). I believe we will be either the last
or one of the last readings as these will begin shortly.
Thank you all and hoping for meaningful reports from you all.
Jeff Schaetzke
Company Manager
Company Manager
325 West Walnut Street | Milwaukee,
WI 53212
(414) 267-2985 direct | (414) 267-2930 fax
(414) 267-2985 direct | (414) 267-2930 fax
FROM TOKYO
As
promised, here's some photos from the event. We invited a "Tipi"
making artist who makes Native American style tents with second hand materials.
After
the talk back session, audience and participants and staff(Yes all of us)
joined to add a small decollation on the tipi with pieces of used kimono.
I
hope you enjoy them!
In
the post showing discussion, there were many participants and audiences who
showed strong interests on knowing more about the war history and they mostly
gave positive comments on the script as well as the entire project.
Best
regards,
Yorie
FROM
DEPTFORD IN LONDON
Our reading took place at the Deptford Creekside centre an
extraordinary environmental education centre in the heart of South London on
the edge of a creek which carries the water from the Quaggy, the Pool and the
Ravensbourne rivers into the mighty river Thames.
Exactly 70 people gathered to remember the events of 70
years ago. (It wasn’t planned that way but that is honestly how many people turned up.)
Together we made and decorated lanterns and as the light began to fade, the
script was read. As requested in the instructions we let the words do the work,
adding just a few moments of simple imagery, wild rice scattered on a white
sheet to represent the black rain, lanterns raised on poles during the final
testimony.
The lanterns we had made earlier in the evening were carried
down to the creek and people gathered on a footbridge to watch them being
floated towards the Thames.
As a nod to the next part of the project in London, ‘After
Hiroshima’ which will gather testimony about the Anti nuclear and Peace
movement, the evening was supported by a simple rendition of songs from
the peace movement including Tom Paxtons ‘Peace will come’. Amidst the
noise and bustle there were moments when the city seemed to go quiet and
reflect with us.
Adam Annand
FROM A READER IN
WIMBORNE
I felt it was very powerful to read such moving stories
while the world around us kept on moving.
A dust cart was uploading rubbish.
A child was singing and playing on the green near our
performance place.
People were walking by chatting.
Normality and all I kept thinking was this is how it must
have been just before the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima and how would my town
be if that happened now.
The vulnerability of lives came across by performing it
in such a familiar and open space.
Best wishes, Tracie.
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